Book Review: Just Like Mother

JUST LIKE MOTHER | Anne Heltzel
05.17.2022 | Tor Nightfire
Rating: 5/5 stars

The last time Maeve saw her cousin was the night she escaped the cult they were raised in. For the past two decades, Maeve has worked hard to build a normal life in New York City, where she keeps everything – and everyone – at a safe distance. When Andrea suddenly reappears, Maeve regains the only true friend she’s ever had. Maeve starts to immerse herself in Andrea’s world, spending more and more time at her remote Catskills estate, as her own life slowly falls apart. She wants to get back to feeling like herself, but Andrea’s attachment is hard to break.

I love a good cult story and JUST LIKE MOTHER delivered on a whole new creepy level! If you think the cover is unsettling, just wait until you start reading!

From the beginning I thought I knew where this story was okay to lead me, but I was completely wrong. Heltzel took my expectations and blew them out of the water. This book reads like a season of American Horror Story with all of the jaw dropping revelations and weird twists you can’t get enough of as you watch. There’s something not right about all of the characters you meet, but just what is it? JUST LIKE MOTHER’s premise is impossible for me to talk about in great detail without giving too much away. What I will say is that if you enjoy cults, stories set in remote locations, and being completely creeped out, this one’s for you! 

I highly suggest taking a look at the trigger warnings listed on Storygraph because there are a lot of tough topics covered in this book.

A huge thank you to Tor Nightfire for my gifted copy!